NEW YORK, March 26, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MSG Entertainment and the Garden of Dreams Foundation are proud to announce that the Garden of Dreams Talent Show will take place on Thursday, April 5 at 7pm at Radio City Music Hall. For the second year, the Phoenix Foundation will partner with Garden of Dreams to present this year's show, themed "Dream Big." The Phoenix Foundation, a charitable organization founded by leading interdealer broker, Phoenix Partners Group, provides invaluable support to Garden of Dreams that allows the Foundation to create an unforgettable talent show event, as well as additional programs for children involved with Garden of Dreams throughout the year.
"We are grateful to have The Phoenix Foundation partner with us on the Garden of Dreams Talent Show for a second year," said Kristine Burton, vice president, Garden of Dreams Foundation. "Through their unwavering support, we have been able to enhance the overall experience and create meaningful opportunities for the kids both on and off stage at Radio City Music Hall, making the talent show an even more memorable experience for our Garden of Dreams children."
"We are honored to work with the Garden of Dreams Foundation again this year and are thrilled that our partnership is able to help bring the Garden of Dreams Talent Show to another level for the children involved. The Phoenix Foundation was launched with a pledge to do two things: make a material difference in the communities in which we operate by supporting local charitable organizations and to focus our philanthropic efforts on, among other deserving groups, children who are sick or otherwise need a helping hand. We are proud to accomplish that by partnering with Garden of Dreams and look forward to seeing the children perform at Radio City on April 5," said Akasha Absher of The Phoenix Foundation.
Each year, children from various Garden of Dreams partner organizations, all facing various issues – whether they relate to illness, homelessness, poverty, foster care or tragedy, are presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall. For one memorable evening, in front of their family and friends, they perform with talent, emotion and passion, forgetting their problems and celebrating their unique voices and talents. The 2012 Garden of Dreams Talent Show will be hosted by MSG Network Knicks reporter Jill Martin and Host of Fuse's "Hoppus on Music" and frontman/bassist of blink-182 Mark Hoppus.
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, the show's Creative Director, will also be on hand after weeks of working with the children on their performances.. Throughout rehearsals for the talent show, the children have received guidance from guest mentors, including Tony Vincent (NBC's "The Voice"), Christina Sajous (Spiderman), Derrick Baskin (Memphis), Justin Johnston (Rent), Rockettes, and Knicks City Dancers. This year's talent show will showcase more than 20 different performances from 13 Garden of Dreams Foundation partner organizations, including SCO Family of Services, Children's Aid Society, NYU Medical Center and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In past years, the children have been fortunate enough to work alongside celebrities, including Whoopi Goldberg, Swizz Beatz, R&B singer Miguel, Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child, Jane Krakowski, Adam Horovitz and Mike D of the Beastie Boys, New York Knicks alumni, Knicks City Dancers, and the world-famous Rockettes.
The Garden of Dreams Talent Show will be held on Thursday, April 5 at 7pm at Radio City Music Hall. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about Garden of Dreams and the Garden of Dreams Talent show, visit: www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.org.
ABOUT THE GARDEN OF DREAMS FOUNDATION
Garden of Dreams is a non-profit charity that works closely with all areas of The Madison Square Garden Company, including the New York Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Media, MSG Entertainment and Fuse to make dreams come true for kids facing obstacles. Since its inception in 2006, the Foundation has created once in a lifetime experiences at The Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the MSG Training Center, Fuse and the Beacon Theatre for more than 200,000 tri-state area children facing obstacles. Nearly 175,000 tickets have been donated to organizations served by Garden of Dreams and more than 2,300 special events have been designed for children and families.
ABOUT THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
The Phoenix Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is registered with the State of New York Attorney General's Charities Bureau as a charitable organization. Launched by leading interdealer broker Phoenix Partners Group (www.phoenixpartnersgroup.com), the Foundation provides financial assistance, such as direct donations, grants, and scholarships, and other support to underfunded local charities where the Foundation deems it can have a meaningful impact on the quality and continuation of the services and programs those charities provide. While any qualifying charity may be considered, the Foundation is keenly interested in those dedicated to helping underserved groups, namely underprivileged children, at-risk teens, and the elderly.
The MSG Entertainment, The Phoenix Foundation, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation Logos are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=12172